Dell 3250 User manual

Dell Vostro 3250
Owner's Manual
Regulatory Model: D13S
Regulatory Type: D13S001

Notes, cautions, and warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you
how to avoid the problem.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.
Copyright ©2015 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. This product is protected by U.S. and international copyright and
intellectual property laws. Dell™and the Dell logo are trademarks of Dell Inc. in the United States and/or other
jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.
2015 - 09
Rev. A00

Contents
1 Working on Your Computer................................................................................5
Before Working Inside Your Computer................................................................................................ 5
Turning Off Your Computer..................................................................................................................6
After Working Inside Your Computer................................................................................................... 7
Removing the Cover..............................................................................................................................7
Installing the Cover............................................................................................................................... 8
Removing the Front Bezel.....................................................................................................................8
Installing the Front Bezel.......................................................................................................................9
Removing the Hard-Drive Assembly.................................................................................................... 9
Installing the Hard-Drive Assembly.....................................................................................................11
Removing the Optical Drive................................................................................................................ 11
Installing the Optical Drive..................................................................................................................13
Removing the Heatsink Fan Cover..................................................................................................... 13
Installing the Heatsink Fan Cover....................................................................................................... 14
Removing the Heatsink Assembly.......................................................................................................14
Installing the Heatsink Assembly.........................................................................................................15
Removing the Memory........................................................................................................................15
Installing the Memory..........................................................................................................................16
Removing the Power Supply Unit.......................................................................................................16
Installing the Power Supply Unit (PSU)............................................................................................... 17
Removing the System Fan...................................................................................................................17
Installing the System Fan.....................................................................................................................18
Removing the WLAN Card.................................................................................................................. 19
Installing the WLAN Card.................................................................................................................... 19
Removing the Coin-Cell Battery.........................................................................................................19
Installing the Coin-Cell Battery.......................................................................................................... 20
Removing the Expansion Card........................................................................................................... 20
Installing the Expansion Card..............................................................................................................21
Removing the System Board...............................................................................................................21
Installing the System Board................................................................................................................ 23
System Board Layout.......................................................................................................................... 24
2 Troubleshooting Your Computer....................................................................26
Diagnostic Power LED Codes.............................................................................................................26
Diagnostic Error Messages..................................................................................................................27
System Error Messages........................................................................................................................31
3 System Setup Overview.....................................................................................32
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Accessing System Setup..................................................................................................................... 32
System Setup Options.........................................................................................................................32
4 Specifications......................................................................................................36
5 Contacting Dell...................................................................................................39
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1
Working on Your Computer
Before Working Inside Your Computer
Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential damage and to help to
ensure your personal safety. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure included in this document assumes
that the following conditions exist:
• You have read the safety information that shipped with your computer.
• A component can be replaced or--if purchased separately--installed by performing the removal
procedure in reverse order.
WARNING: Disconnect all power sources before opening the computer cover or panels. After you
finish working inside the computer, replace all covers, panels, and screws before connecting to
the power source.
WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with
your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance
Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only
perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as
directed by the online or telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is
not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions
that came with the product.
CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or
by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface, such as a connector on the back of the
computer.
CAUTION: Handle components and cards with care. Do not touch the components or contacts
on a card. Hold a card by its edges or by its metal mounting bracket. Hold a component such as a
processor by its edges, not by its pins.
CAUTION: When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its pull-tab, not on the cable
itself. Some cables have connectors with locking tabs; if you are disconnecting this type of cable,
press in on the locking tabs before you disconnect the cable. As you pull connectors apart, keep
them evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins. Also, before you connect a cable,
ensure that both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.
NOTE: The color of your computer and certain components may appear differently than shown in
this document.
To avoid damaging your computer, perform the following steps before you begin working inside the
computer.
1. Ensure that your work surface is flat and clean to prevent the computer cover from being scratched.
2. Turn off your computer (see Turning Off Your Computer).
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CAUTION: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and
then unplug the cable from the network device.
3. Disconnect all network cables from the computer.
4. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets.
5. Press and hold the power button while the computer is unplugged to ground the system board.
6. Remove the cover.
CAUTION: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by touching an
unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the computer. While you work,
periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to dissipate static electricity, which could
harm internal components.
Turning Off Your Computer
CAUTION: To avoid losing data, save and close all open files and exit all open programs before
you turn off your computer.
1. Shut down the operating system:
• In Windows 8.1:
– Using a touch-enabled device:
a. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, opening the Charms menu and select
Settings.
b. Select the and then select Shut down.
Or
* On the Home screen, touch the and then select Shut down.
– Using a mouse:
a. Point to upper-right corner of the screen and click Settings.
b. Click the and select Shut down.
Or
* On the Home screen, click and then select Shut down.
• In Windows 7:
1. Click Start .
2. Click Shut Down.
or
1. Click Start .
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2. Click the arrow in the lower-right corner of the Start menu as shown below, and then click
Shut Down .
2. Ensure that the computer and all attached devices are turned off. If your computer and attached
devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down your operating system, press and hold
the power button for about 6 seconds to turn them off.
After Working Inside Your Computer
After you complete any replacement procedure, ensure you connect any external devices, cards, and
cables before turning on your computer.
1. Replace the cover.
CAUTION: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network device and then
plug it into the computer.
2. Connect any telephone or network cables to your computer.
3. Connect your computer and all attached devices to their electrical outlets.
4. Turn on your computer.
5. If required, verify that the computer works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics.
Removing the Cover
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer.
2. Follow the steps to remove the cover:
a. Remove the screws that secure the cover to the computer [1].
b. Slide the computer cover towards the back of the computer [2].
c. Lift and remove the cover from the computer [3].
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Figure 1.
Installing the Cover
1. Slide the cover from the back of the computer, until the latches snap-in.
2. Tighten the screws to secure the cover.
3. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer
Removing the Front Bezel
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer.
2. Remove cover.
3. Follow the steps to remove the cover:
a. Lift the retention clips [1] and release the front bezel [2].
b. Lift up the front bezel to remove it from the computer [3].
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Figure 2.
Installing the Front Bezel
1. Hold the bezel and ensure that the hooks on the bezel snap into the notches on the computer.
2. Rotate the front bezel toward the computer.
3. Press the front bezel until the tabs snap in.
4. Install cover.
5. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer.
Removing the Hard-Drive Assembly
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer.
2. Remove:
a. cover
b. front bezel
3. Disconnect the power and the data cables from the hard drive.
9

Figure 3.
4. Follow the steps to remove the hard-drive assembly:
a. Remove the screws that secure the hard drive to the drive bay [1].
b. Lift the drive bay handle [2] and slide it from the drive bay [3].
Figure 4.
5. Follow the steps to remove hard-drive bracket:
a. Remove the screws that secure the hard drive to the bracket [1].
b. Slide the hard-drive from the bracket [2].
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Figure 5.
NOTE: Remove the hard-drive bracket only if you are replacing with a new hard drive.
Otherwise, if hard drive removal is only a pre-requisite to remove other components, then
ignore Step 5.
Installing the Hard-Drive Assembly
1. Slide the hard drive into the bracket.
2. Tighten the screws to secure the hard drive to the bracket.
3. Holding the handle, slide the hard-drive assembly into the drive bay.
4. Tighten the screws to secure the hard-drive assembly to the computer.
5. Connect the data and power cables to the hard drive.
6. Install:
a. front bezel
b. cover
7. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer.
Removing the Optical Drive
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer.
2. Remove:
a. cover
b. front bezel
c. hard-drive assembly
3. Follow the steps to release the optical drive:
a. Disconnect the power and the data cables from the optical drive [1].
b. Remove the screw that secures the optical drive to the drive bay [2].
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Figure 6.
4. Follow the steps to remove the optical drive:
a. Press the blue tab to loosen the optical drive [1].
b. Slide the optical drive [2] and lift it up to remove it from the chassis [3].
Figure 7.
5. Follow the steps to remove the bracket from the optical drive.
a. Remove the screws that secure the bracket to the optical drive.
b. Slide the optical drive from the bracket.
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Figure 8.
NOTE: Remove the optical-drive bracket only if you are replacing with a new optical drive.
Otherwise, if optical drive removal is only a pre-requisite to remove other components, then
ignore Step 5 and Step 6
Installing the Optical Drive
1. Slide the optical drive into the drive bay until it snaps.
2. Tighten the screw to secure the drive to the chassis.
3. Connect the data and power cables to the optical drive.
4. Install:
a. hard-drive assembly
b. front bezel
c. cover
5. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer.
Removing the Heatsink Fan Cover
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer.
2. Remove:
a. cover
b. front bezel
c. hard-drive assembly
d. optical drive
3. Follow the steps to remove the heatsink fan cover:
a. Pry the plastic notches that secure the fan cover in an outward direction[1].
b. Remove the fan cover from the heatsink assembly.
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Figure 9.
Installing the Heatsink Fan Cover
1. Place the heatsink assembly in the slot by aligning with the screw holes.
2. Tighten the screws to secure the heatsink assembly to the system board.
3. Connect the heatsink-assembly cable to the system board.
4. Install:
a. optical drive
b. hard-drive assembly
c. front bezel
d. cover
5. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer.
Removing the Heatsink Assembly
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer.
2. Remove:
a. cover
b. front bezel
c. hard-drive assembly
d. optical drive
e. heatsink-fan cover
3. Follow the steps to remove the heatsink assembly:
a. Disconnect the heatsink assembly cable from the system board [1].
b. Remove the screws to loosen the processor fan and the heatsink [2].
c. Lift up the heatsink and remove it from the chassis [3].
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Figure 10.
Installing the Heatsink Assembly
1. Place the heatsink assembly in the slot by aligning with the screw holes.
2. Tighten the screws to secure the heatsink assembly to the system board.
3. Connect the heatsink-assembly cable to the system board.
4. Install:
a. heatsink-fan cover
b. optical drive
c. hard-drive assembly
d. front bezel
e. cover
5. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer.
Removing the Memory
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer.
2. Remove the cover.
3. Pry the securing clips away from the memory module until it pops up. Remove the memory module
from its socket on the system board.
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Figure 11.
Installing the Memory
1. Align the notch on the memory card with the tab in the memory connector.
2. Insert the memory module into the memory socket and press until it clicks into place
3. Install the cover.
4. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer.
Removing the Power Supply Unit
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer.
2. Remove:
a. cover
b. front bezel
c. hard-drive assembly
d. optical drive
3. Perform the following steps to remove the power supply unit (PSU) from the computer:
a. Disconnect the PSU cables from the connectors on the system board [1, 2].
b. Unroute the PSU cables from the holder. [3,4]
4. Perform the following steps to remove the PSU:
a. Remove the screws that secure the PSU. [1]
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b. Press the blue PSU release tab to release the PSU. [2]
c. Lift and remove the PSU from the computer. [3]
Installing the Power Supply Unit (PSU)
1. Slide the PSU towards the back of the computer until it snaps into place.
2. Replace the screws to secure the power supply unit to the computer.
3. Route the PSU cables through the placeholder.
4. Connect the PSU cables to their connectors on the system board.
5. Install:
a. optical drive
b. hard-drive assembly
c. front bezel
d. cover
6. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer.
Removing the System Fan
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer.
2. Remove:
a. cover
b. front bezel
c. hard-drive assembly
d. optical drive
3. Perform the following steps to remove the system fan from the computer:
a. Disconnect the system-fan cable from the connector on the system board [1].
b. Unroute the system fan cable [2].
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4. Remove the screws that secure the system fan to the computer chassis and remove it from the
computer. [1,2]
Installing the System Fan
1. Place the system fan on the computer
2. Tighten the screws to secure the system fan to the computer.
3. Connect the system-fan cable to the connector on the system board.
4. Install:
a. optical drive
b. hard-drive assembly
c. front bezel
d. cover
5. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer.
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Removing the WLAN Card
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer.
2. Remove:
a. cover
b. front bezel
c. hard-drive assembly
d. optical drive
3. Perform the following steps to remove the WLAN card from the computer:
a. Remove the screw to release the plastic tab that secures the WLAN card to the computer. [1][2]
b. Disconnect the WLAN cables from the connectors on the WLAN card. [3]
c. Remove the WLAN card from its connector on the system board. [4]
Installing the WLAN Card
1. Insert the WLAN card to the connector on the system board.
2. Connect the WLAN cables to the connectors on the WLAN card.
3. Place the plastic tab and tighten the screw to secure the WLAN card to the system board.
4. Install:
a. optical drive
b. hard-drive assembly
c. front bezel
d. cover
5. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer.
Removing the Coin-Cell Battery
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer.
2. Remove:
a. cover
b. front bezel
c. hard-drive assembly
d. optical drive
3. Press the release-latch and the coin-cell battery pops out. Lift the coin-cell battery out of the
computer. [1]
a. Remove the coin-cell battery from the computer. [2]
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Figure 12.
Installing the Coin-Cell Battery
1. Place the coin-cell battery into its slot on the system board.
2. Press the coin-cell battery downward until the release latch springs back into place and secures it.
3. Install:
a. optical drive
b. hard-drive assembly
c. front bezel
d. cover
4. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer.
Removing the Expansion Card
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer.
2. Remove:
a. cover
b. front bezel
3. Perform the following steps to remove the expansion card from the computer:
a. Pull the metal tab to release the expansion card. [1]
b. Slide the black tab forward [2] and remove the expansion card from the connector on the
computer [3].
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